Dashcam video

High-profile GOP strategist arrested for DUI on her way to pick up candidate's daughter

MILWAUKEE - A high-powered Republican campaign strategist has been busted for driving drunk, and the dashcam video during the arrest has been released.

Rachel Pecor was pulled over after she veered into the wrong lane. She was on her way to pick up the child of a state assembly candidate when police noticed something was wrong.

It's around 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night and Pecor was behind the wheel of this car, crossing the center line in Pewaukee.

"Hi. What are you doing? You're all the way on the wrong side of the road," the officer said.

That's when Pecor starts to play the political game.

“My candidate is running for the assembly here," she answered.

That candidate, Jeanne Tarantino, is running for state assembly. Her child was the one Pecor was on her way to pick up from dance class. The officer had Pecor to pull around the corner to a safe area, but it soon becomes clear she's not in control. She has no license, and the officer notices alcohol on her breath.

"That was the other question that i had was how much you've had to be drinking," the officer said.

"I have not been drinking," Pecor answered, to which the police officer replied, "That's not true.”

So the officer starts a field sobriety test. He has Pecor walk toward him....she's on the other side, but you see another officer reach to catch her and pecor try to explain.

"Sorry the heels," she said.

When pecor finally submits to a breath test, the results aren't good.

In the end, officers found 3 empty vodka bottles in the car.

"I don't care what you do to me. Just don't let this become a campaign issue, please," she said.

Pecor declined to comment about this arrest and calls to the Tarantino campaign were not returned tonight. Pecor got a ticket. If she'd had Tarantino's daughter in the car when she was stopped, it would have been a felony.

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